A warning has been issued that development sites in an area of Bradford are nearing exhaustion and that selling Council property is threatening the delivery of public services.

Bradford Moor councillor Ghazanfer Khaliq is concerned opportunities to use development sites to benefit the community will be lost.

He is particularly worried about the former Greenhill Resource Centre, in Florence Street, which he is calling on Bradford Council to retain for long-term strategic purposes. The Council’s asset management department is looking to put the site up for sale this year.

Coun Khaliq (Lab) said: “Past experience with the sale of former school sites tells us that if we flog everything off with no proper strategic planning for the future then when we need new schools, health centres and recreational facilities the space is simply not there.

“In Bradford Moor we have seen the steady depletion of sites available for community use. If the proposals go ahead they will be all but exhausted.”

A Council spokesman said: “The Greenhill Resource Centre is being put up for sale at the end of April. It has stood empty for four years.

“The permitted use allocated for the site by planning is a Community Priority area where priority is given to community facilities, housing to meet local needs or employment-generating purposes. This means housing would have to be for local people or the business would have to employ local people.

“Consultation has taken place over several years and organisations have come up with ideas but not been able to find the funds or presented proper business plans.”